Fluid control means



P. E. GELDHOF 'EI'AL June; 16, 1953 FLUID CONTROL MEANS 4 Sheets-Shag; 1

Filed Feb. 8, 1947 m Q Q Jime 16, 1953 P. E. GELDHOF ETAL 2,642,085

FLUID CONTROL MEANS 4 She ts-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 8, 1947 Inf 517227115 Pete I rEduara Geld/Elf alfer- Rigel June 16, 1 953 P. E. GELDHOF EIAL. 2,642,085

- FLUID CONTROL MEANS Filed Feb. 8', 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 E If 7'08 BYTE/16702 if N 7/ a 70 as I v I l Patented June 16, 1953 FLUID CONTROL MEANS Peter Eduard Geldhof and Luther Ringer, St.

Joseph, Mich., assignors to Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation of New York Application February 8, 1947, Serial No. 727,390

The present invention relates to improvements in home laundry apparatus. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a novel fluid controlsystem and means adapted to be used in an automatic washing, rinsing and drying machine having associated therewith suitable storage facilities ior the temporary storing of the cleansing solution pending the completion of additional operating steps in the cycle of operation of the machine.

The present invention is particularly advantageously adapted for use in connection with laundering apparatus in which the articles to be laundered are first washed in a hot soapy solution and then rinsed and dried by the same machine. After each washing operation it is highly desirable to save the hot soapy solution for use in the washing of additional batches of clothes since many times either sufficient hot'water or large quantities of soap is not available. It is therefore advantageous to remove the soapy solution to a suitable storage 8 Claims. (01. 137-565) is customary-in the use of such equipment, a complete cycle of operation is'performed on a single batch of articles'to be laundered including washing, rinsing'and drying steps before any subsequent batches of laundry are introduced to the apparatus. The rinsing operations, of which there are ordinarily several, usually employ only clear water of relatively low or medium temperature and, therefore, may be discharged to the drain in order that a fresh water supply may be employed for each of the operations. I

In the case of the washing step, however, an abundance of water of relatively high temperature having large quantities of soap and other suitable cleansing agents therein is required. In the interest of saving both hot water and soap,

it is, therefore, particularly advantageous to remove the soapy water from the container. of the automatic washing, rinsing and drying machine following the washing step and temporarily stor ing it until the remaining steps of the cycle of 7 operation, all of which are performed in or with member, such as a standard laundry tub, pending the completion of the several rinsing and dryin steps of the cycle.

It is customary in laundry apparatus employed for removing the cleansing solution to a storage chamber for subsequent reuse, to provide a pump for removing the solution from the tub of the washing machine and a two way valve with suitable discharge conduits for directing the liquid removed from the tub either to storage or to drain. A second pump and connecter piping must be used to return the liquid from the storage-chamber to the tub.

In the present invention a single pump unit' comprising a pump ancla plurality of valves disposed immediately adjacent the, pump in the inlet and outlet connections to the pump; are so arranged as to perimt liquid to be moved from thetub to storage, from storage to. the tub or from the tub to drain without reversing the die rection of the pump. Since'the space available in a washing machine for mechanical apparatus is necessarily small, the importance in this field of a single unit which will efficiently perform. the operations heretofore accomplished by use of several units is manifest.

While the apparatus of the present invention is capable of employment in a wide variety of fluid handling operations, it is particularly well adapted to use with an automatic washing, rinsingand drying machine and will, therefore, for the sake of clarity but in no sense of limitation, be described in its adaptation to such equipment. As

the aid of the container of the machine, are completed. The soapy water employed in the first washing step may again be introduced to the container for reuse upon the completion of the remaining steps of the laundering operation.

Such a procedure as herein outlined makes possible a considerable saving in the hot water supply and also in the quantity of detergents required to complete the laundering operation.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide means capable of producing the aforementioned advantageous results and in so doing, to facilitate the use of the automatic washing, rinsing and drying apparatus.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a suitable fluid control means which is capable of being connected for operation by the automatic control mechanism for operation in conjunction with the apparatus employing the fluid for the various phases of the laundering cycle.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a novel pump and valve unit capable of selectively discharging the liquid in the tub either to a storage chamber, to a drain or of returning liq lid from the storage chamber to the tub.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel tuband valve unit that is simple in construction and compact in arrangement for convenient mounting in the casing of a typical household washing machine.

Other objects and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of one embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the automatic washing, rinsing and drying machine with which the device of the present invention is particularly advantageously adapted to be employed;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 11-11 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, partly broken away, of the valve unit of this invention taken on line III-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the valve unit of the present invention taken substantially on line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the valve unit of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a chart illustrating the complete operating cycle for an automatic washing machine indicating the association of the various operations performed by the machine;

Figure '7 is a digrammatic showing of a typical electrical circuit for controlling the operation of an automatic washing machine embodying the pump and valve unit of the present invention;

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the several cam disks for the timer mechanism in disassembled relation in their respective angular positions relative to each other; and

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic showing of a washing machine with which the fluid control system of this invention may be advantageously employed and also illustrating a convenient type of storage and drain means.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral E in Figures 1 and 2 is a typical automatic washing, rinsing and drying machine of the kind with which the means of the present invention may be advantageously employed. A casing II is provided in which is mounted the operating elements of the apparatus including a tub I2, a drive mechanism I3 including a motor I4 adapted to actuate an agitator (not shown) in the tub and an extractor (not shown). It is to be understood that the casing I I is enclosed on all sides and at the top and has a suitable access door for introducing the articles to be laundered.

The pump and valve unit of this invention includes the pump I5 which is suitably driven by the motor I 4through a pulley mechanism I6 and has intake and discharge connections I! and I8, respectively. The intake connection I7 takes suction from a conduit 2! (Figure 3) of a valve unit assembly 29 of interconnected conduits and valves, being secured to the member 2! .by a suitable connector 22. As best seen in Figures 3 and 4, the conduit 2| is secured into the assembly 20 at a low level passing directly underneath a pair of upwardly extending riser conduits 23 and 24, the passageway afforded by the conduit 2| being in communication with the vertical passages of the conduits 23 and 24. The end wall of the conduit 2| is blended upwardly into the vertical conduit 24. Thus the conduit 2| which is connected to the suction part of the pump I5 is disposed to draw liquid only from the conduits 23 and 24.

The outlet connection I8 of the pump I5 is secured to a conduit 25 by a suitable connector 26. The conduit 25 is also arranged in the assembly 20 at a low level, passing directly underneath upwardly extending riser conduits 27, 28 and 29,

the passageway afforded by the conduit 25 being in communication with the vertical passages afforded by the conduits 21, 28 and 29. The end wall of the passageway of conduit 25 is blended upwardly into the lower part of the vertical conduit 29. Thus conduit 25, which is connected to the discharge side of the pump I5, is disposed to deliver fluid into any of the vertical conduits 2?, 28 and 29.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, it is seen that each of the vertical riser conduits 23, 24, 21, 28 and 29 is surrounded by a cylindrical wall which is disposed in spaced relation therewith, forming an annular passageway between said cylindrical Wall and the conduits. Each riser conduit extends upwardly to a point somewhat below the upper end of the cylindrical wall associated therewith. Thus, liquid flowing upwardly in a vertical conduit may flow through the opening at the upper end thereof and over the upper edges of the conduit into the annular passageway provided between the conduit and the wall.

In general, each vertical conduit is segregated from all others by the cylindrical wall therearound. However, there is provided a cross connection 30 between the annular passageways around the conduits 23 and 2'! and a second cross connection 3| between the annular passages around the riser conduits 24 and 28. It is to be noted that these cross connections are at a level higher than that in which the conduits 2I and 25 are connected into the assembly 20.

Communication between the unit 20 and the tub I2 of the washing machine is provided by a conduit 32 which is connected at the same high level as cross connection 30 into the annular passage around the vertical conduit 21. The free end of the conduit 32 is adapted to be secured (Figures 2 and 3) :by a suitable connector 33 to a conduit 34 leading from the sump 35 of the tub I2.

Means for directing liquid from the assembly 20 into a storage chamber is provided by a conduit 40 leading from the annular space around the vertical conduit 24 at the high level. Conduit 40 may be conveniently secured to a pipe M which is suitably connected into an opening in a priming tank 42. A pipe member 43 leads from the upper side of the priming tank and is adapted to be attached to any suitable conduit 44 which may conveniently be brought upwardly between the tub I2 and the casing ll, through an opening in the upper portion of the casing for discharge into a storage chamber, such as a standard laundry tub which has its drain connection closed, as illustrated in Figure 9.

The discharge to a drain is provided in the form of a conduit 45 which is connected into the annular space around the vertical conduit 29. the high level, may be secured, as by a connector 46, to a discharge tube 41 leading from the casing to a drain connection.

For the purpose of controlling the flow of 1iquid through the vertical conduits 23, 24, 27, 28 and 29, there is provided a flexible valve member 50 which is adapted to be positioned by spring action across the opening at the top of each vertical conduit, as illustrated in Figure 3. The valve member 52 is positioned on the assembly '25 by means of an inverted cup-shaped casing 5! which is fastened onto the assembly 20 by means of cap screws 5Ia, which also pass through the outer marginal edges of the valve This conduit 45, which is also disposed at 50' disposed between the assembly .211 and the casing Each vertical conduit is normally closed by the valve 50 due to the action of a coiled spring 55 on the-valve. 'As'a means of lifting thevalve' off its seat to permit flow of liquid through the conduit, there is provided ineach cup-shaped casing 5|, a solenoid 52 supported by a retaining member 53 which is held in position by a snap ring 54, adapted to lock into a circular groove in the cup-shaped casing 5i. Electrical power connections to the solenoid may be conveniently led into the cup-shaped casing 5i through passages 56 and 51 provided in the top surface thereof. I

An armature 58, disposed in the solenoid 52, is suitably secured at its lower end to the valve 50. The upper end of .the armature 58 is arranged to abut, as a limiting upward position, a stop 59 depending from the casing 5| by means of a cap screw 633. When the solenoid 52 is energized, the armature 58 will be pulled upwardly against the action of the coiled spring 55 which is disposed around the armature 58 between the valve member 50 .and the retaining member 53 and which normally urges the valve against its seat.

As previously stated, the pump and valve unit of this invention is arranged to either move liquid from the tub to storage, from storage to the tub or from the tub to drain. This is accomplished by opening ing the others to remain closed. For convenience the solenoid units ofv the various valve members will be indicated in Figure 2 as i-M, Z-M, 3-M, 4-M and 5M.

Flow of liquid from effected by opening the valves of the units Z-M and 3-M and then operating the-pump. Under these conditions, liquid coming from the tub l2 through the sump 35 and the conduit 34 will enter, at the upper level, the annular space surrounding the vertical conduit 21. Since the valve 56 of the unit l-M is closed, the liquid will flow across the connecting passage 36 to the annular space surrounding the vertical conduit 23. It will then be permitted to flow downwardly in the vertical conduit 23 to the member 2! due to the fact that valve of the unit 2-M is off its seat. The liquid in the conduit .2! 'cannot flow toward the vertical conduit 24 since this conduit is closed by its valve and therefore the liquid must flow through the connection I! to the suction side of the pump l5. discharged from the pump 15 into the outlet connection It, the liquid will pass in the conduit 25 and under the closed vertical conduit 21 and then' upwardly through the vertical conduit [28, the valve member of which has been lifted oif its seat When the liquid-reaches the upper level it will be directed through the cross connection 3| to the annular space around the conduit 24. Since the valve of unit i-M is closed, the liquid will pass out through the conduits 4G and 4|, the priming tank 42 and the pipe 43 to'the storage chamber. 1

To efiect the how of liquid from the storage tank to the tubs the valves of the units l-M and l-M are opened and the pump is operated. Itis to be noted that the sufiicient capacity to prime the pump l5, which may suitably be a centrifugal pump. With the valve of unit lM open, the liquid enteringthe annular space about the conduit 24 from, the priming tank 42 will flowdownwardly in the verthe tub to storage is Upon being priming tank 52 has tical conduit 24 into the tubular member If where .it willbe directed to the suction side of certain valves while allow- I ing the shaft and a the pump l5. Upon being discharged from the pump l 5 into the outlet connection l8, the liquid will pass into the conduit 25 and upwardly in the vertical conduit 21. Since the valve of the unit l-M is open, the I conduit 34 and "then upwardly into the tub l2 through the sump 35.

Flow of liquid from the tub [2 to the drain is accomplished by operating the pump 15 when the valves of the unit Z-M and 5-M are open. With these valves open, the liquid coming from the tub l2 through the sump 35in the conduit 34 will enter at the upper level of the annular space,

around the vertical conduit 21. Since the valve 50 of the unit l-M is closed, the liquid will flow across the connecting passageway 30 to the annular space around the vertical conduit 23. It will then be permitted to flow'downwardly in the vertical conduit 23 to the conduit 2! due tothe fact that the valve of unit 2-M is off its seat. In the conduit 2| the liquid will be directed to the suction side of the pump 15 throughv the inlet connection l'i. Upon being discharged from the pump l5 into the outlet connection IS, the liquid will pass into the conduit 25, under the closed vertical conduits 27 and 28 and up through the vertical conduit 29, the valve member ofwhich has been lifted off its seat, to the upper level where it is directed to drain through the discharge connection 41.

From the foregoing description it is evident that the pump and valve assembly of this invention is capable of directing liquid to the storage, to the drain or back to the pump as desired by selectively closing a combination of valves.

It is of course evident that the pump and valve unit of this invention, the valves of which are solenoid operated and the pump of which is operated through an electric motor, will readily lend itself to operation by an automatic timing device which will control the various operationsof the washing, rinsing and drying cycle in which the cleansing solution and the rinse water are used.

The electrical control circuit for the operation of the automatic washing-machine with which the pump and valve unit of the present invention is advantageously adapted to be employed may .include any suitable form of timing device for controlling the sequential performance of the series ofsteps' in a completelaundering operation. A conventional form of timer 65; which has been diagrammaticallyillustrated in Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings, employs a shaft 66 attached to a control disk. 6,! which may convene iently be mounted on theupper portion of the casing ll ofthe machine for operation by'the operator. A motor 68 is also provided for rotat plurality of cam disks 69 to 16 inclusive. The details of the cam disks 69 to 15 inclusive which are mounted on the shaft 66 and rotated therewith will best be understood from reference to Figure 8 of the drawings. The power supply conductors T1 and 18 provide electrical energy for the timer55 and the main motor valve which delivers hot water while the cam disk 72 controls the delivery of the mixed water supply from another partof the mixer valve 80' to the tub 12 of the automatic washing machine at the proper intervals. The temperature of the water'delivered depends upon the setting by the liquid will flow into the.

The dam disk I4 controls that part of the mixeroperator of the control knob 8| mounted in the" upper portion of the casing I I. The adjustment of the knob 8| mounted on the shaft 82 of the temperature control unit causes the cam disks 83 and 84 to be rotated to a position such that the associated movable contacts 85 and 86, respectively, are caused to make or break contact with certain contacts 61 and 88, respectively, for the mixer valve 80.

It will be understood that when the movable contact 85.is permitted, by the position of the cam disk 83 associated therewith, to contact the fixed contact 87, the valve 80 will deliver hot water when it is opened at the proper intervals by the cam disk M of the timer 65. In the same way, when the movable contact 86 is permitted by the cam disk 84 to contact the fixed contact 88, the valve 83 will deliver mixed water as it is opened by the cam disk 72 of the timer 65. Thus, with the control knob 8I in the position illustrated in the diagrammatic illustration of Figure '7, both hot and mixed water will be introduced simultaneously by the mixer valve 30 to the tub I2 of the washing machine as the cam disks M and 12 of the timer unit 65 operate the mixer valve 80 at the proper intervals.

It is to be noted that another cam '16 also is adapted to close the circuit to the mixed water side of the mixer valve 80. This cam 76 is used to introduce mixed water during the rinse period.

The cam 69 is adapted to close circuits to the solenoids of the valve lifting units 3-M and 5-M. The cam I controls the operation of a shifter mechanism E which causes the motor It to actuate the extractor unit (not shown). The cam 1| is employed to periodically close the circuit which energizes the motor I4. Cam :3 controls the solenoid of the valve lifting unit 2-M. The cam I4, besides controlling the operation of the hot water side of the mixer valve 86, also is adapted to close the circuit which controls the solenoid of the valve lifting units I-M and 4M.'

The cam I5 is employed to periodically energize the electrical circuit which permits the motor I4 to actuate the agitator shifter mechanism A.

The cams 59 to 16 inclusive are provided with movable contact arms 90 to 97 inclusive respectively. The contact arm 90 associated with the cam disk 69 is provided with a follower I00 which is adapted to trace the periphery of the cam disk and in so doing causes the contact arm 90 to move between the fixed contacts I0! and H32 intermittently making and breaking contact therewith. Likewise the contact arm 95 associated with the cam disk 74 is provided with a follower I03 which traces the periphery of the cam disk to make and break contact with the pair of fixed contacts I 04 and I05. The movable contact arms 9I, 92, 93, 94, 96 and 91 which are associated respectively'with the cam disks I0, II, 12, 13, I5 and 16 are equipped with followers I06, I01, I06, I09, H0 and III, respectively, which as in the previous case trace the periphery of the cam disks to make and break contact with single fixed contacts H2,

H3, H4, H5, H6 and H1, respectively.

The timer unit 65 is provided with a switch embodying a disk I20 and contacts I2I and I 22 which enable the operator, by grasping the control knob 61 and moving the shaft 66 slightly in an axial direction, to reset the timer at certain desired positions in the cycle of operation and thereby adjust the comparative length of certain of the operating steps. A suitable fluid level control device, indicated generally by the reference character I 25, may be associated with the tub I2 of the automatic washing machine. This device aids in controlling the depth of the water in the tub I2 as to maintain the same at the proper operating level and to prevent the operation of certain of the elements of the washing machine when an insufficient quantity of water is present to properly complete the operation, as well asto indicate when all of the water is removed from the tub that may be desired for the.

extracting operation, for example.

The fluid level control I25 may take any suitable form, usually employing a pair of floats one of which indicates when the water in the tub I2 has reached the desired upper level and rotated through an angle of approximately 8- every seconds. As the several cam disks 69 to t6, inclusive, mounted upon the shaft 66 are rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figure 8, the cam followers of the associated contact arms cause said contact arms to open and close electrical circuits associated with their respective fixed contacts so as to energize one or more of the elements of the washing machine structure and to cause each, in its turn, to perform its required duty in the complete cycle of operation.

Figure 6 is a chart illustrating the completeoperating cycle for the automatic washing machine indicating the intervals at which the various operations of the cycle take place. This chart will be considered in connection with the diagrammatic sketch of Figure '7 and the detailed Views of the cam as shown in Figure 8 to clearly point out the sequence of operations and more especially to illustrate how the novel pump and valve unit of this invention is adapted to be used in this automatic cycle.

It will be seen by reference to the schedule in Figure 6 that the actual washing cycle is begun by the introduction of hot water and mixed water. However, for the purpose of disclosing the use of the pump and valve unit of this invention in bringing suds that have been previously placed in a storage chamber back to the tub for reuse, the schedule is illustrated for a condition that obtains after one batch of clothes have been completely laundered and preparation for starting the second batch is begun.

For this condition the operator will select thesetting of the control disk 61 which will permit the cam follower I0! of the cam II to drop into recess cam surface A, thus permitting the movable contact 92 to close against the fixed contact H3. A circuit will now be completed from the power supply conductor TI, through the conductor I30, the motors I4 and 68 in parallel, the conductor I3 I, the fixed contact I I 3, the movable contact 92, the bus bar I32, the conductor I 38, switch parts I20, I2I and I22 and the conductor I39 to the other power supply conductor I8. Thus the main motor I4 which drives the pump I5 is actuated, as is also the timer motor 68.

Referring to Figure 8, it is seen'that when,

' valve closing agaihstthe contact IB'I' of" cam TI" moves outi'of mangoes thesc'amashafttis selectivelyrotated by the operator: to position-the: cam follower I01 .of the cam .11 on the recess; cam: surface A, theacam Viollower-103 01" the cam M will \bevforced up. on the raised cam-2 surface B, l causing the movable contact 95 torclosefagainstthefixed contact I05. A circuitv willthen' be completefromzthei power supply Fl throughthe conductor: I32; the sole-- noids of the valvezlifting units I-M an'dil l M .the conductor I33; the fixed contact I05; the movable contact 95', the

bus bar I 34'; the con-- ductor I35, the fixed contact .I 36; the switch I26, the conductor I 3 1; the conductor I 39; switchparts I} other powersupply conductor 'w-i The closing of this: circuit: energizes= the solenoid ofunits I -M and I-M causing-'thevalves' of these units to'be moved? off" theirseats" and permit how of liquid from the storage chamber to the tub I2- as:- previously explained. Thus hy this initi' 6T; theoperatorcauses=the pump I5tobe a'ctu-- at'ed" simultaneously with the opening of the valves of 'th'e units I M' and K-M; Thetimer motor 68 isalso operating' and willrotatethe cam this operation for three minutes; atwhi'ch time the' cam follower II]? of the-cam"? I will ride out of the recessA- thus breaking the contact of the movable" contact 92' with thefixed contact I I 3', thereby'stopping the motor It and consequently the pump' I5? Meanwhile-the cam"follower"lll3' of" the cam 14 has" dropped off the raised cam surface B;,resulting' hr the cont'act -ofthe mov able contact 95 with the fixed contact Iiiti'being' broken andthesolenoids' of the unitsfI-M and l-M being de'en'ergized to pernfit'their-associate'd vaivestoclose:

It is" to benoted" that when" the v time motor moves. the follower I01 of? cam TI out of recess A- the circuit through the timer motor 68'; will be broken; The" timer. motor will remain out of operation and thewashing cycle will notbegin until sufli'cient" hot" and mixed'water is added to' the" tub to hring the fluidlevel up t'o'the' desiredpoint; which point willjbeindicatediby'the upperifi'oat As the" follower recess. A,.the follower I23 of cam' T4 dropsofi cam surface 3 onto the recessed surface C"'tof heginithe admission of hot and mixedwateft'oi the tub; WhenJthefollower' I'li3 i s on thecam surface C the movable.) contact. 95 will close against the fixediconta'ct IMI A circuitjwillthen be" closed from'the power supply conductor l'l, through the conductor I"; connections I41" and I142 for the portioniiofthermixer valveii'llwhioh delivers hot water; theifixedcontact'8'l thefm'ov able contact 85'} the conductor, I43; the" fixed" contact IG'fljthe movable contacti95'; the bus'ha'r I34jth'e conductor I35,,the fixedcontact'lfifi, the" switch I 26; the-conductor? I 3?, the 'conductorl 38; switchparts, I 20, I 2 I; and I2 2'; andthe'con'duct'on I391toitheother'sup-ply'conductor"I83 contemporaneously; the cam" follower I08 of" thecam: I2 vwill dropintothe recess-camsurface?- D, permitting themovable" contact" 93*toclose-on the fixed contact" I Ill-'5 'closinga circuitfrom the power supplyconductor--I"I' through the conduc tor l 30-; the connections=I-4 I and I d'5 for'that por tion of the mixer valve 80 that deliversmixed water, the' fixed' eo'ntacVBG; themovahle"contact 86, the conductor I46, the fixed contact IHI; the movablecontact 93-; the conductor I} the fiized contact= I365 the-" switch I26;- the conductor I31 the conducton I 38% switch part's I20; I 21 and- I22 I21 and I22; and the' conductorfiw to-the,

setting of theucontrcl disk urefl, theimovable-contact Sfimakescontactiwith;

itszfixed: contact 83'. so thatrmixedgwater'will. be admitted by the miXertva-l've simultaneously. with: the? introduction of: hot: water therefrom to: pro duce a. supply of water of 1 medium temeperat'ure inithe tub1I-2.

' Ittwill he understood that .the'circuit i described abdvecwills. bescomp'l'ete onlv astlong: as the toggle: switch: I 26a of the: fiuidi level control device I 253 iszin the: position:illustratediin Figure 7.. Thus? water will be: introduced into the tub I2 on top' oilthewsoapy soluticn prev-iouslytransierred hack tOEthe tub; until the -top" float actuate'sthis toggle switch Ifi t which occurs when thedesired amount of liquid is in the tub. The circuit which is" closed": through .therfixed contact I 36 of thelevel control I25vvi1li then" broken and theint'ro dilation: of *water will stop; Upon: upward move ment of the to'ggle switch' I 26'; it willclose against the-fixed' contact I'M completing the circuit for theatimer-motor and-'themain motor I i thereby causingthea-gitator drive to he engaged;

Refer-ring to Figure il iitwill-be seen thatcohv temporaneously-with the cam follower I 08 of the cam I2 droppinginto the recesscam'surface D- the control device'- I 25; which has Of 1 course beenpivoted upwardl'y'dueto'the' water level of'the tub rising; the= switch I21, the conductor I52, the fixed: contact I W, the switch I26, theconductor I37; thecohductbrISB-i switch parts I20; IZIand l2-2- and' the conductor" I39 w the'other' power supplwconductbr 18; It-will Joe-noted that whilethis circuit was partially complete when the lower float had-closed ag-ainst the contact I5lor" the level control device I25, the agitator mech anism was not energized to closethe agitator devlce until theupper float was" closed against the contact l'll.

When" the upper float closes against-the fixed 5 contact I21; a circuitis complete for boththemain motor I l" andthe'timermotor 'BB ih -parallel" fromthe power' supply conductor 1-1 through the conductor I31 the motors in parallel; the con--- ductors I31; I53" and I52 the fixed Contact I41 the-switch" I 2 Ii the conductor I 31; the conductor operation for thenumber of minut'es that has been selected by the operatorfor this washing cycle; asforrexample z'o minutes as indicatedin Figure' fii When the washingcycle is; complete the timermotor 68" wi'1l' rotate the came into that part of the: cyclewhere thesuds is againtransferreda back to storage -for"possible-reuse; According to. the? schedule: of Figure 6, the m'ain motor. I4, P which of course is connected to the pump I5,' is

ductor" I39 to= the other power-supply conductor again energized by the cam follower I01 of the cam 1I dropping onto the recessed cam surface F causing the movable contact 92 to close against the fixed contact H3 thus closing the circuit through the main motor I4 and the timer motor 68 in parallel through the bus bar I32 and the switch I to the power supply conductor 18. contemporaneously the extractor shifting mechanism E and the solenoids of the valve lifting units 2-M and 3-M are energized to operate their associated units. It will be understood that the suds will first be transferred to the storage tank before the extractor unit is actuated and then, when the lower float control of the fluid level device I drops onto the contact I55, the extractor unit will be energized and the soapy solution so extracted will also be moved to the storage chamber.

The electrical circuit for the operation of the solenoid of the unit 2-M is completed from the power supply conductor 11 when the cam follower I09 of the cam 13 drops onto the recess cam surface I-I causing the movable contact 94 to close on the fixed contact H5. The circuit is then complete from the power supply conductor 11 through the conductor I30, the solenoid of the unit 2-M, the conductor I56, the fixed contact H5, the movable contact 94, the bus bar I32, the conductor I38, switch parts I20,

I2I and I22, and the conductor I39 to the other power supply conductor 18.

The electrical circuit for the operation of the solenoid of the unit 3-M is completed when the cam follower I00 of the cam 69 rides up on the raised cam surface I causing the movable contact 90 to close on the fixed contact I02. The circuit is established from the power supply conductor 11 through the conductor I30, the solenoid of the valve lifting unit 3-M, the conductor I51, the fixed contact I02, the removable contact 90, the conductor I38, switch parts I20, I2I and 522 and the conductor I39 to the other power supply conductor 18. As previously described, when the valve of the units 2-M and 3-M are moved off their seat, the pump and valve unit of this invention is disposed to direct liquid from the tub of the washing machine to the storage chamber. Thus in this cycle with the pump operating and these valves open the suds will be returned to the storage chamber. lower float of the fluid level control I25 drops as the water is extracted from the tub and moves it on the fixed contact I55, the electrical circuit for the operation of the shifting mechanism E of the extractor, which may conveniently be of the rotating basket type, will be closed since the cam follower I06 of the cam 10 drops onto the recess cam surface G contemporaneously with.

the closing of the circuit through the solenoid of the units 2-M and 3-M. The circuit through the extractor shifting mechanism E is complete from the power supply conductor 11 through the conductor I30, the connections I53 and I54 of the shifter mechanism E, the fixed contact H2, the movable contact 9|, the conductor I58, the fixed contact I55, the switch I21, the conductor I53, the fixed contact II 3, the movable contact 92, the bus bar I32, the conductor I38, the switch parts I20, I2! and I22, and the conductor I39 through the other power supply conductor 18. For the remainder of the. cycle the suds extracted by the extractor unit will also be moved to the storage chamber since the valves of the units 2-M and 3-M are open and the pump is operating. a

When the 'When the extraction cycle is over, the timer control motor 68 will move the cams into the rinse cycle. Referring to Figure 8, it will be observed that the cam follower III of the cam 16 drops down onto the recess cam surface J permitting the movable contact 91 to close on the fixed contact II1. Thus there will be closed through that portion of the mixer valve which delivers mixed water to the tub an electrical circuit from the power supply conductor 11, through the conductor I30, the connections I44 and I45, for that portion of the mixer valve 00 that delivers mixed water, the conductor I59, the fixed contact H1, the movable contact 91, the bus bar I34, the conductor I35, the fixed contact I36, the switch I26, the conductor I31, the conductor I30, the switch parts I20, I2I and I22, and the conductor I39 to the other power supply conductor 18.

contemporaneously with the circuit being closed through the mixer valve, a circuit is also closed through the shifting mechanism A of the agitator mechanism when the cam follower H0 of the cam 15 drops onto the recess cam surface K permitting the movable contact 96 to close on the fixed contact H6. Thus the agitator is ready to be energized when the upper float of the liquid level control device I25 is moved upwardly to close on the fixed contact I41 when the water is at the proper level. When the upper float closes on the contact I41, an electrical circuit will be closed through the motor I4 which drives the agitator. Also, an electrical circuit through the agitator shifting mechanism A will be closed from the power supply conductor 11 through the conductor I30, the connections I48 and I49 of the agitator shifting mechanism, the fixed contact H6, the movable contact 96, the conductor I50, the fixed contact I5I, the switch I21, the conductor I52, the fixed contact, I41, the switch I26, the conductor I31, the conductor I38, switch parts I20, I2I and I22, and the conductors I39 to the other power supply conductor 18. For the remainder of this cycle the agitator will tumble the clothes around in the rinse water and thus thoroughly rinse them.

When the rinse cycle is completed the timer motor 68 will move the cams into the rinse water extraction cycle in which the rinse water is directed from the tub to a drain connection. As

previously explained this will be accomplished when the valves of the valve lifting units 2-M and 5-M are moved off their seats.

To close the circuit through the motor I4 the cam follower I01 of cam 1I drops onto the recess cam surface L, moving the movable contact 92 onto the fixed contact I I3 and closing the circuit from the motor through the bus bar I32 and switch I20 to the power supply conductor 18. The electrical circuit for the operation of the solenoid of the valve lifting unit 5-M is completed when the cam follower I00 of the cam 69 drops onto the recessed cam surface M permitting the movable contact to close on the fixed contact IOI. Then the electrical circuit is complete from the power supply conductor 11 through the conductor I30, the solenoid of the valve lifting unit 5- M, the conductor I60, the fixed contact ml, the movable contact 90, the conductor I30, the switch parts I20, I2I and I22, and the conductor I39 to the other power supply conductor 18.

An electrical circuit is closed for the actuating of the valve lifting unit 2-M when the cam follower I09 of the cam 13 drops onto the recess cam surface M permitting the movable contacte f to close on the fixed contact H and establish the circuit from the power supply conductor 11, through the conductor 13!], the solenoid of the valve lifting unit 2-M, the conductor I55, the fixed contact I 15, the movable contact 94, the bus bar I32, the conductor I38, the switch parts I20, I21 and 122, and the conductor I39 to the other power supply conductor 18.

The extractor shifting mechanism'lil will be energized when the cam follower I06 of the cam in moves onto the recess cam surface P permitting the movable contact 9l to close on the fixed contact H2, thus establishing an electric circuit from the power supply conductor Tito the conductor I36, the connections I53 and IE4 of'the shifter mechanism E, the fixed contact H2, the movable contact 9|, conductor I58, the fixed contact [55, the switch I21, the conductor I53, the fixed contact H3, the movable contact 92, the bus bar I32, the conductor I38, the switch parts I20, l2l and I22, and the conductor !39 to the other power supply conductor 18. It is to be noted that,'as in the suds extracting cycle, the

extractor does not operate until the level of the rinse water in the tub allows the lower float to drop.

Thus with'the .valvesof the valvelifting units 2-M and5-M open and the motor It in operation, the rinse'water from the tub 12 will be directed to the drain connectionj At the end of this cycle of course,.the operator can manually move the control disk 61 to the initial position at which the valves of the units l-M and 4-M are opened and the soapy solution is returned from the storage tank preparatory to beginning a new washing cycle. i

From the foregoing'description it is seen that there is provided in this invention a novel pump and'valve unit which may be advantageously and conveniently attached into an automatic washing, rinsing and drying cycle.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, -not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a fluid transfer unit selectively operable to transfer fluid through a plurality of paths, a pump, two fluid conduits, one leading to the suction end of said pump and the other leading from the discharge end of said pump, a plurality of cross-connections in a different plane from said two conduits, a plurality of open-ended riser conduits communicating between said conduits and said cross-connections and opening up wardly within said cross-connections and spaced inwardly from the Walls thereof, and. separate valve means selectively operable to close the open ends of said open-ended riser conduits.

2. In a fluid transfer unit selectively operable to transfer fluid through a plurality of paths, a pump, two fluid conduits, one leading to the suction end of said pump and the other leading from the discharge end of said pump, a plurality of cross-connections spaced above said conduits and extending therealong, a plurality of vertical riser conduits leading from said conduits into said cross-connections within the margins thereof and opening thereinto at their upper ends at levels spaced above the bottoms of said crossconnections, whereby fluid may flow through said'open-ended vertical riser conduits into. 's'aid cross-connections and may flow past the'walls of said open-ended vertical riser conduits, and valve means selectively operable to close the open ends of. said open-ended vertical riser conduits and affording fluid passageways thereby.

3. A fluid transfer unit for selectively transferring fluid from a predetermined one of three conduits to another comprising a valve unit assembly having a fluid conduit at one level, a pair of conduits at a lower level and having open upper ends communicating at said open ends with said. fluid conduit in said valve unit at said one level and spaced inwardly from the wall of said fluidconduita separate valve cooperating with the open end of each of said conduits, a second conduit, a second pair of conduits having open upper ends communicating at saidopen ends. with said second conduit and spacedfrom the wall thereof, a separate valve cooperating with the open end of each of said last named conduits, a pump having intake and discharge ports,

' one of said conduits of each of said pairs ofconduitsbeing connected to said lintake port and the other of said conduits of each of said pairs of conduits being connected to said discharge port, a third conduit, an additional conduit having an open upper end communicating at said open end with said third conduit and connected with saiddischarge port, and a valve cooperating with the open end of said additional conduit.

4. A fluid transfer unit for selectively con trolling the flow of a fluid between three conspeotively duitscomprising a pair of first conduits closed at one end and open at their other ends, a pump having intake and discharge ports connected reto said pair of conduits at the. open ends thereof, vertical riser conduits extending from said first conduits and having open upper ends, cross-connections spaced from the Walls of said vertical riser conduits at the open upper ends thereof and connecting said vertical riser conduits of each pair of conduits together, selectively operable valves cooperating with the open ends of said riser conduits, two conduits connected to said cross-connections and to different ones of said vertical riser conduits, and a third conduit spaced from the margins of said cross-connections and communicating with another of said'vertical riser conduits.

5. A fluid transfer unit for selectively controlling the flow of fluid between three conduits comprising a pair of first conduits disposed at a first level and closed at one of their ends. and open at their other ends, a pump having intake and discharge ports connected respectively to said first conduits at the open ends thereof, vertical riser conduits leading from said first conduits and having open upper ends, cross-connections between the open upper ends of said vertical riser conduits and spaced outwardly from the margins thereof for cross-connecting said first conduits, three conduits connected to certain of said vertical riser conduits and said cross-connections at a second level, and a separate selectively operable valve cooperating with the open upper end of each of said vertical riser conduits.

6. A fluid transfer unit for selectively controlling the flow of fluid between three conduits comprising a pair of first conduits disposed at a first level and closed at one end and open at their other ends, a pump having intake and discharge ports connected respectively to the open ends of said first conduits, vertical riser conduits leading from said first conduits and having open upper ends, cross-connections between said vertical riser conduits at a second level from the level of said first conduits and cross-connecting said first conduits and having walls spaced outwardly from the outer margins of said vertical riser conduits, a selectively operable valve cooperating with the open end of each of said vertical riser conduits and including a separate movable member movable into engagement with the open end of each of said vertical riser conduits and selectively operable to prevent the flow of fluid from the first level to the second through the associated vertical riser conduit, and three conduits connected with certain of said vertical riser conduits in planes beneath said valve member.

7. A fluid transfer unit for selectively transferring fluid from a predetermined one of three conduits to another comprising a pair of first conduits disposed at a first level and closed at one end and open at the other end, a pump having intake and discharge ports connected respectively to the open ends of said first conduits, vertical riser conduits leading from said first conduits and having open upper ends, a separate selectively operable valve cooperating with the open upper ends of each of said vertical riser conduits, cross-connections between said vertical riser conduits connecting said vertical riser conduits at a second level, each of said cross-connections having a substantially cylindrical wall at each end thereof spaced outwardly from the walls of said vertical riser conduits and forming an annular chamber around each vertical riser conduit through which fiuid may flow around the associated riser conduit, when said riser conduit is closed by its associated valve, and three conduits connected to different ones of said annular chambers.

'8. A fluid transfer unit for selectively transferring fluid from a predetermined one of three conduits to another comprising first and second conduits disposed at a first level, a pump having intake and discharge ports connected respectively to said first and second conduits, vertical riser conduits communicating with and projecting upwardly from said first and second conduits and open at their upper ends, cross-connections between said vertical riser conduits at a second level, each of said cross-connections having a substantially cylindrical wall at each end thereof encircling the open upper endof an associated vertical riser conduitand spaced therefrom and forming annular chambers around the open ends of said vertical riser conduits, a flexible diaphragm member disposed across the top of each cylindrical wall and movable downwardly into engagement with the open end of an associated vertical riser conduit to close the open end of said vertical riser conduit and leave the annular chamber around said vertical riser conduit open for the flow of fiuid therearound.

PETER EDUARD GELDI-IOF. LUTHER FINGER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

